Writerly Wednesday: Daniel's Snowcave

View from the old Sheppard's cave

Daniel peered out from the opening of the small cave; nightfall had swept quickly across the fields covering the land with its melancholic robes. Small tracks led away from the rocks below, probably a fox. He could sense the small creatures stirring in the nearby woods; gripping the rifle in his hands, he moved back inside the cave, towards the crackling of the fire they had built in the small pit in the centre of
the earthen floor. He was grateful that they had stumbled upon the old Sheppard's shelter, elated at the sight of the dry wood pile left by the previous tenant. The fire had warmed their bodies, eased the tension from their weary limbs, and chased away the damp chill that had hung heavy in this old shelter.

Daniel crouched low, half kneeling to push another log into the underbelly of the fire. He wrapped his long coat tightly around himself before leaning back against a small smoothened rock, watching as fiery shadows flickered, dancing across the ground, dragging themselves onto the rugged walls. His eyes followed the dancing shapes as they shimmied across the floor to the small makeshift bed where Della lay exhausted. She had succumbed to sleep within seconds of resting her head; Daniel had draped his large woollen cape over her. She won't like that, he remembered her insistence that he keep his cloak; that her own riding clothes would be warm enough to stave off the chill of the night. Insolent tongue. Beguiling woman. His eyes lingered on her soft lips as they parted with each breath; he would watch over her until light, when they would make their way out into the snow once more. His bone-weary body relaxes, drawing him into a half-conscious state of sleep. Yes, the sooner he delivered her home; the better. 

** Happy Writerly Wednesday All!  I hope you enjoyed this snippet. **  

A/N: This little scene popped into my head when I came across this photo.  I have to thank Ann from Ink Pots and Quills for sending me over to Olive's writing exercises at Creative Writing Ink.  Olive posts a photo each Monday for inspiration, it's up to you to write a few words, a poem, lyrics, a short story - whatever you would like and you link it back to the site.  Photocredits via Creative Writing Ink
Della - A Brief Interlude © 2010 T.Loto